Revenue, politics

According to the Associated Press, the Missouri Department of Revenue reported Friday that net general revenue was up 5.4 percent for the first eight months of this fiscal year (which started July 1).

Gov. Bob Holden says it is still too early to release withholdings from education, pointing to the growth in state income-tax refunds.

State sales and income taxes, which make up about 25 percent of the state's general revenue, were up 15.6 percent in February and 5.8 percent for the fiscal year to date.

Individual income-tax collections (which generate about 60 percent of the state's general revenue) were up 6.4 percent in February and 3.9 percent for the fiscal year to date.

It looks like the revenue growth is projected to come in close to the legislature's projections, which supports the contention that the targeted withholding from elementary and secondary education was somewhat cautious.

However, this late in the school year, it might be better to use the revenue growth to help with next year's education appropriation rather than releasing this year's withholding. In projecting for next year, it appears districts could count on an appropriation at least equal to this year's before the withholding. They should know for sure by April 15.

I, along with about 50 other newspaper publishers and editors, were guests of Holden and First Lady Lori Houser Holden in the Governor's Mansion last week.

Prior to the lunch and the governor's speech and question-and-answer period, the media day at the Capitol allowed time for planned visits to the offices of numerous senators and representatives.

In separate time slots, there were brief remarks followed by about 40 minutes of questions each to Secretary of State Matt Blunt and State Auditor Claire McCaskill, both candidates for governor. Both were relaxed and informative and handled the questions well. They were quite impressive.

After lunch, Holden spoke to the group and passionately addressed the state budget and the issues facing his administration. His remarks were somewhat restricted by the sensitivity of certain of his support groups (pro-abortion, anti-concealed weapons, unionization of state employees and unions in general, including the National Education Association, the teachers union).

This will be one of the most, if not the most, competitive incumbent governors facing primary races around the country.

Senate president pro tem Peter Kinder, House speaker Catherine Hanaway, Senate minority floor leader Ken Jacobs and state Rep. Rick Johnson followed up with a panel discussion and questions and answers.

It would be great if all Missourians could hear the debates and discussions of the issues by these four legislators. Kinder and Jacobs particularly would bring an informed exchange to the race for lieutenant governor, if they win their respective primary races. Jacob faces Cape Girardeau's Bekki Cook (former secretary of state) in the Democratic primary.

Incidentally, the current lieutenant governor, Joe Maxwell, endorsed Jacobs later that day. This will be another tough Democratic primary race.

Many area churches are setting attendance records inspired by the tie-in with Mel Gibson's movie, "The Passion of the Christ."

LaCroix United Methodist Church squeezed in over 1,600 attendees last weekend to hear the first of the Rev. Ron Watts' six-part series on the final hours of Jesus. It was as powerful as the movie, which I saw Friday along with a sellout crowd.

The arts community opened three shows Friday evening. They were certainly inspirational. It's good to not only see the works of local artists, but the crowds that turned out were also good. The exhibits are at Grace Cafe on Broadway, the Arts Council of Southeast Missouri building on Main Street and the H&H Building on Broadway.

I especially was impressed by the artwork of the students of Cleda Curtis-Neal, including Dr. Ray Ritter and his wife, Ann.

Gary Rust is chairman of Rust Communications.